Research shows that women tend to experience more periods of depression than men. Women are more likely to develop bipolar II disorder—meaning they never develop severe mania, but instead have milder episodes of hypomania that alternate with depression.

Women are also at higher risk for rapid cycling, which means having four or more episodes in one year. Varying levels of sex hormones and activity of the thyroid gland in the neck—together with the tendency to be prescribed antidepressants—may contribute to rapid cycling, researchers believe.

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